Modality LLP is a large-scale provider of NHS Outpatient Services, renowned for its innovative approach to delivering efficient pathways for patients requiring specialist care, leading to high-quality patient outcomes. We work in partnership with a number of hospitals across the country to collaboratively redesign outpatient services with more care being delivered in community settings.
We are looking for experienced Sonographers who have the skills, knowledge, and experience to coordinate and provide holistic outpatient diagnostic sonography testing to patients. Salary for this role is 45,000 - 55,000 per annum WTE.
We are seeking dedicated postholders to join our team and who can display our CARE values: Commitment, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.
This job is suitable for individuals have a passion for working in an agile manner ensuring a high-quality service is provided. The postholder(s) will be committed to undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, within the bounds of their own competence.
As an employee with us you can benefit from
Enrolment to the NHS pension scheme
Annual leave minimum 27 days, plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata
Employee discounts and benefits scheme
Employee assistance programme (EAP)
Education and career pathways
Enhanced Family friendly policies
Flexible working
Wellbeing support and initiative
If you are interested in learning more, please read on
Main duties of the job
To support the Lead Sonographer in the provision of a professional ultrasound
service
To perform and report independently on a wide range of ultrasound examinations.
Dependent on qualifications this may include renal, abdominal, Doppler,
gynaecological and some small parts scans
To produce appropriate written reports for the medical profession and keep accurate
records using a combination of CRIS, Viewpoint, SystmOne and PACS
Communicate potentially distressing diagnoses directly to patients and refer accordingly.
Maintain a high standard of patient care and medical ethics
Participate in CPD and other developmental activities and actively take part in departmental research/audit
Supervise and mentor recently qualified and student Sonographers
To help maintain the high standards of the ultrasound service and to encourage working as a team with all members of staff including HCAs and reception staff
Overview of your organisation
Modality LLP is a provider of NHS community outpatient services within a number of regions across the UK.
Our service offer and expertise include:
Over 15 years of experience of delivering community outpatient services
Contracts with ICBs and hospital providers
A diverse clinical workforce of consultants, GPs with extended roles, specialist nurses and allied health professionals
Delivery of over 160,000 patient consultations per year
Delivery of 1st consultations within a maximum of 4 weeks from referral from a choice of community locations, 7 days per week
Modality LLP is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all our potential applicants in line with the Equality Act, 2010.
Clinical Duties & Responsibilities:
To provide a highly specialised clinical service using ultrasound equipment to image and provide accurate diagnosis
To perform and independently report on all ultrasound procedures.
Provide a full range of ultrasound examinations, predominantly abdominal, gynae, DVT scans and some small part scans
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work including clinical practice, and for the work and clinical practice of line-managed staff.
To ensure a high standard of clinical care within own professional practice, and support other staff within the service to do likewise.
To undertake the highly specialised comprehensive investigations of patients, including those with the most complex presentation, using advanced investigative and analytical skills and using standardised protocols where possible.
To assess, capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment and support other staff to do likewise.
To formulate individualised investigations, when necessary, based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice, using advanced clinical reasoning skills and utilising a wide range of highly specialised sonographic skills to enable the production of effective good quality diagnostic imaging.
To be responsible for ensuring the effective selection and use of the appropriate diagnostic investigations available by information gained from collaboration with other colleagues within the service and using MDT meetings
To implement new techniques based on evidence.
To assess and manage clinical risk within own patient caseload and within the service and to advice colleagues on risk management.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation in line with legal and service requirements, and communicate diagnostic results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters and ensure the other staff within the section do so.
To provide highly specialist advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas, and to other health care professionals.
To assist and ensure that staff adhere to safe and effective moving and handling of patients.
To autonomously compose and verify a written report which records the sonographic observations made during the examination, their significance and any limitations of the study,
To be personally responsible for the accuracy of the report and ensure that the report is communicated to the appropriate personnel.
To ensure that any sinister findings are reported immediately to the Lead Sonographer and captured on the clinical system, so that the patient can be managed promptly.
To be aware of current literature regarding the potential biological hazards of diagnostic ultrasound and the need to minimise doses at all times.
To be aware of conditions where current recommendations contra-indicate the use of certain types of ultrasound equipment/modes.
To select equipment appropriate for the examinations and be aware of its limitations within that clinical context.
To ensure that all probes are appropriately cleaned and prepared with special reference to intra-cavity probes, following manufacturers guidelines and local Infection Control procedures.
To ensure that any hard copy image taken is an accurate record of displayed information relevant to the patient being examined on the date when the examination took place.
To ensure a high standard of written and verbal communication with patients and referring clinicians.
To take part in the vetting of ultrasound requests, establishing whether the clinical details provided are sufficient to perform the examination requested and whether the correct examination has been requested.
To recognise the urgency of requests and prioritise accordingly.
To discuss incomplete or inappropriate requests with the Lead Sonographer and/or referring clinicians as soon as possible so that the patient receives prompt and correct management.
To deal directly with patient queries regarding their appointment either in person or by telephone.
To take part in personal, departmental and organisation-wide audit programmes where appropriate, to evaluate clinical practice and service to patients.
To actively participate in activities designed to improve the service to clients, patients and clinicians.
To be aware of the SCOR Codes of Conduct.
To promote patients' rights and ensure confidentiality of patient information.
Communication:
To demonstrate a wide range of communication skills. The sonographer is expected to have a high level of verbal communication and be able to freely communicate with all levels of staff.
To be aware of the importance of communication with all patient types. Verbal communication of a complex and highly sensitive nature should be handled with tact and empathy.
To provide a clear, written diagnostic report for the referring clinician to assist with patient management.
To liaise when required with colleagues and clinicians to discuss potential problems seen on scans and directly or indirectly refer patients e.g. to urgent cancer referral
To be responsible for the safety and the well-being of patients whilst undergoing a scan and during aftercare
To be aware of current decontamination guidelines in use with ultrasound
Quality Assurance:
To ensure effective systems are in place for the smooth day to day running of the ultrasound clinics.
To lead/contribute to the development of service policies and procedures and support staff training and implementation of these policies
To ensure that patients are receiving the best possible service by reviewing and acting upon patient experience feedback
To ensure the smooth running of all clinical sessions and services provided
To ensure that the service information for patients and outside organisations is up to date and in accordance with national guidelines
Other Duties:
Carry out cleaning and basis maintenance of equipment and clinical areas as required
Ensure and maintain adequate stock levels
Deal with general enquires form staff, patients, visitors and member of the public in a helpful and courteous manner
Carry out responsibilities within one's own capabilities, qualifications and training
Observe all security regulations currently in force when handling medical records and patient information
To undertake regular infection control of equipment in accordance with equipment manufacturer and service specifications
To support clinicians working within Modality community services perform their role by assisting with ultrasound investigations
Maintain standards of conduct and dress in accordance to organisational policy
Responsible for delivering clinics independently
Work as part of the multidisciplinary team fostering good interdepartmental relationships with a focus on continuous quality improvement.
Document the details of all patient encounters/consultations within the clinical record and provide appropriate written information to support verbal advice
Communicate effectively with hospital medical staff, community staff, general practitioners and nursing staff giving specialist support and advice in the care and treatment of patients
Provide advice for other members of the healthcare team and patients as required.
Actively participate in all aspects of the clinical governance process.
Promote infection control, environmental safety and risk management in order to and minimise risk to patients, self and other staff at all times.
Participate and support implementation of national guidance relevant to the service i.e. National Service Frameworks, NICE guidance etc
Participate in team meetings and MDTs
To respect and value the diversity of our patients, their relatives, carers and staff by committing to address the needs and expectations of the diverse communities we serve
To maintain patient safety through rigorous and consistent compliance with LLP policies for the prevention and control of infection, including hand hygiene.
To undertake appropriate mandatory training and updates in infection prevention and control.
General care and maintenance of departmental equipment and work areas
Other
Other ad hoc duties as required by the Lead Sonographer/Lead Radiologist
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the scope of the role and within your skill set as requested.
Working closely with the Lead Sonographer and Service Manager on reviewing Sonographer practices within the service, developing and reviewing processes and identifying any issues or education needs within the team.
Point of contact for infection control and stock levels within the service
NB: This job description outlines the key duties that are expected of you within the role of Sonographer, although it is not an exhaustive list. It may be amended in line with experience, business requirements and as a result of any future organisational change.
You will love this job if you have a passion for supporting patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily and apply principles of self-care. You will learn more because you will improve the way we work from the ground up whist working closely with leadership teams to influence service improvement.
If you feel this is the ideal career advancing opportunity for you and you want to rise to the challenge of this opportunity, we welcome an application for you to join our growing team of likeminded people.
Pre-employment
Vaccinations
As part of recruitment to the Modality Partnership, we will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters so that we can manage individual and environmental risks. We will offer support to those who may be undecided about vaccinations. Some vaccinations for certain roles are mandatory, and you will be asked to provide evidence of this where there is a mandatory requirement.
Right to work checks
All applicants invited for interview will need to prove their right to work in the UK at the interview stage
References
References must be secured prior to beginning employment, one must be your current or most recent employer.
Employment history
You must notify us of any employment gaps of 6 weeks or more.
Person Specification:
What are the minimum requirements all candidates need to meet?
Qualifications and Experience:
We require high performing team members to join our team with:
ALL APPLICANTS INVITED FOR INTERVIEW WILL NEED TO PROVE THEIR RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK AT THE INTERVIEW STAGE
Please note Modality LLP reserves the right to close this vacancy at any time during the advertising period.
Person Specification:
What are the minimum requirements all candidates need to meet?
Qualifications and Experience:
Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound
Certificate / Diploma from the College of Radiographers in Medical Ultrasound or an equivalent international qualification
Skills:
Complex knowledge of pathologies
Detailed knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy
Evidence of Continued Professional Development
Ultrasound experience with 900 ultrasound scans performed and reported in the last 12 months
Non-Obstetric Ultrasound with experience of performing the following scans: